Complete Trust

• Sometimes we read Scripture and the symbolism seems to have no relevance to our everyday lives. The words we read can feel sterile, disconnected from the demands of life and stresses we face and feel.
  
  But are they really?
  
  Consider the "valley of the shadow of death" in today's Scripture. Some people equate it to the loss of a loved one or a serious illness. I believe that it can also be a profound loss of joy or hope, a failed relationship, a lost job, a depressive episode, or a deep, dark pit you emotionally stumble into when circumstances are overwhelming.
  
  Now, think about what is your "valley"--and read Psalm 23 again.

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Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psa 23:4-6 NIV)

Standing Alone

• Sometimes doing what is right is easy; it can make you a hero. Other times, however, you must stand alone, be misunderstood, and risk painful rejection--even from people who care about you.
  
  It comes down to a decision. Whether intentional or unaware, we all have a choice at every decision point. We can either do what is right before God, even if it means being rejected by others or facing personal loss in some way, or, we can attempt to please others or avoid loss, rejection, or pain--even if it means offending God.
  
  An example is what you just read. Hard, direct words? Yes. Even harsh? To some. Will some readers be offended or reject what I said (and reject me in the process)? Potentially.
  
  Was it what I believe God would have me say? (You know the answer.)

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When Jesus entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region. (Mat 9:23-26 NIV)

Call and be Delivered

Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. (Psa 3:2-6 NIV)

Be careful

• Some people want to see God's judgment fall. They may think a person, a category of people, or an entire nation deserves judgment.
  
  Personal opinion: That is not our determination to make!
  
  Do you know anyone like that? I do. I vividly remember that person's harsh, hateful, condemning words, praying for God's punishment on someone. And I still shudder when I think about it because I really do not believe they in the least comprehended what they were doing.
  
  When God said that vengeance belonged to Him, He meant it.

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When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. (Jonah 3:10-4:1 NIV)

Feelings

• The day before Yesterday, about feelings I said: "...we should make efforts to control how we respond to them." So, how does one do that? I can tell you what I understand and make every effort to do:
  
  When I feel something like worry or fear in a situation, I recognize that I am at a decision point: I can believe what I see and feel, or, I can choose to believe what God said--if that conflicts with what I see and feel. The decision is to believe one over the other.
  
  It helps to make that decision pre-crisis, as David expressed in these verses. Then, when a crisis occurs, your decision will be whether or not to hold to what you have already decided.
  
  (From experience I can tell you: that is far easier than trying to determine what to do at the point of crisis.) 
  
  Does that help?

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We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psa 20:5-7 NIV)

Actions

• "If we really understood why we do what we do, we would not do a lot of what we do."

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As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Gal 1:9-10 NIV)

Feelings

• Today's message deals with being "real". So, let's be.
  
  We feel many things when we are going through "stuff"; we can feel grief, frustration, conflict, depression, confusion, and so much more. It is normal, and contrary to what I have heard taught or implied, experiencing such feelings is not a failure of faith.
  
  That said, I believe that while we cannot always prevent conflicting feelings, aside from a physical or emotional illness or condition, we should make efforts to control how we respond to them.
  
  The principle in today's message helps me keep feelings in perspective, to some degree at least. I am not saying that it invalidates or lessens what I feel, nor should it be a pollyannish way of responding.
  
  Real feelings must first be admitted; only then can they be dealt with. But keeping them in perspective of what Jesus has done for us is, for me, a crucial and essential step in the overcoming process.

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But Jesus remains a priest forever; his priesthood will never end. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf. He does not need to offer sacrifices every day like the other high priests. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he sacrificed himself on the cross. (Heb 7:24-25,27 NLT)